Italian design house Pininfarina and California startup AC Future have unveiled three smart and sustainable AI-powered transformer homes that can double their living space at the touch of a button. Olivia Palamountain reports

The tiny home movement is evolving beyond basic minimalism, with a new generation of AI-powered mobile transformer homes promising to revolutionise compact living through smart, expandable designs.

Italian design house Pininfarina has expanded its partnership with California-based AC Future to bring three such AI-enabled transformer homes to market, with the first deliveries expected in late 2026.

The AI-THu, starting at US$98,000, transforms from a compact structure into 400 sqft of interior living space plus a 40-square-foot outdoor patio. Built on a stationary platform, the unit can be installed on-grid or off-grid and features solar panels, energy storage, a water generator and AI smart home technology. The flexible interior can shift between a lounge, office or additional bedroom, with the master bedroom offering extendable wardrobe storage. "We continue our journey with AC Future in Pininfarina's relentless pursuit of excellence in design," says Paolo Trevisan, vice president of design at Pininfarina of America. "By addressing the evolving needs of modern living, these projects exemplify our vision of creating adaptable, efficient, and visually appealing environmental living solutions."The AI-THt trailer measures 24 ft long and doubles in size when expanded, offering up to 400 sqft of living space. Unlike traditional trailers, it requires no front driving cabin, creating a more spacious interior. The design incorporates architectural elements with aerodynamic efficiency for improved towing performance.

The AI-THd represents the original drivable concept, converting from a small recreational vehicle into a large mobile living space within minutes. Its cockpit transforms into a mobile office or secondary bedroom.Laura Czarnecki, co-chief executive of AC Future, says the partnership with Pininfarina creates "sustainable living designs that are beautiful and adaptable to the evolving needs of modern living". She describes the products as a potential solution to America's affordable and sustainable housing crises.

The designs address a key engineering challenge in maintaining efficient floor plans whilst accommodating complex opening systems. Francisco Barboza, senior design manager at Pininfarina of America, says: "We aimed to create an iconic object that resonates with people and their surroundings. That's the beauty of Pininfarina design - our ability to seamlessly embrace the future in a natural, authentic way."All three products use AC Future's patented expansion living technologies and can be configured up to 1,200 sqft with optional additions including shaded areas, barbecue setups and extra storage modules. Applications range from backyard installations and holiday properties to military and emergency housing solutions.